Chapter 33 - Renting a House

"Regarding your studies, I can offer you a guitar scholarship." Professor Gitse said to the surprise of Richard. "What? You can do that?" Richard asked. "I can't do it directly, but I have connections. Look. There are no remarkable guitarists coming from our college, so if we can train Tayaw there, the scholarship is worth it." Professor Gitse explained.

"Train him? What do you know about guitars? He doesn't need your classes. I bet your ass Mr. Dagem here didn't learn music theory or lessons but became this good through his own practice and self-learning." Professor Dinaw said. "So? He can still learn more. You can learn something every day." Professor Gitse countered. Regarding their points, while Tayaw knows that Professor Gitse is right, his heart leans more on Professor Dinaw's argument. Many famous and critically acclaimed musicians never learned music in college. They became skilled in their instruments through practice and self-exploration and made music with just their gut. Music ultimately is an art, a self-expression. He also does not like the distant feeling of dissecting music. To him, he likes learning by doing.

"Mr. Dagem, I on the other hand want to hire you as a lecturer for a workshop that our Music Department is planning." Professor Dinaw also raised his intentions. "You can't do that! He doesn't even have a degree!" Professor Gitse was surprised at Professor Dinaw's proposal. "So what? Does he need a degree while conducting a workshop? He just has to demonstrate and teach some concepts on the guitar, and we're good." Professor Dinaw shot down Professor Gitse. "You're crazy…" Professor Gitse was speechless.

"What exactly do I do as a lecturer?" Tayaw was interested. "You can collaborate with the professors to talk about what to teach in the workshop. What the professors will provide are concepts that they are confident you can teach." Professor Dinaw explained. "Who will attend the workshop?" Tayaw's decision will lie in this question. "We are planning on making two workshops. One is among our current students who are interested in learning about guitar. The other workshop will target high school students and attract them to enroll in our department." Professor Dinaw explained the details. Tayaw wanted to refuse as he is not confident being a teacher, but something inside is compelling him to say yes.

"I appreciate your offer Professor Gitse, but if you look at my grades in my current major, I'm doing very well. And I expect I will do the same in the future. Also, I like playing and learning music the way I want; through self-exploration." Tayaw expressed his opinions. "While self-exploration is good, you can learn quicker by attending courses." Professor Gitse said. "I know it will, but I like how I'm doing right now. It's satisfying for me to learn guitar by my own wisdom. However, if there's something I cannot learn from experience, I will enroll in your classes with my own money." Tayaw said in conviction. "Young man, I hope you change your mind in the future. The offer will still stand." Professor Gitse saw that Tayaw is currently stubborn; he decided to back down for now. 'Young man, I know you're excellent now, but sooner or later, you will reach a chasm' Professor Gitse thought to himself.

After the short meeting, the trio excused themselves and left the bar. Tayaw, also hurried to Jenna's table. It was already thirty minutes since his gig ended, so she must have been waiting for long. Fortunately, when Tayaw arrived at Jenna's table, he saw Jenna enjoying listening to Amelie on stage while sipping on what looks like a Mojito. "Enjoying yourself?" Tayaw sat with Jenna. "Yes. You were awesome by the way. No wonder you got to save up for your car." Jenna said in while slurring her speech a little. Looking at the two empty bottles of beer on Jenna's table and the Mojito in her hand, Tayaw was surprised at how Jenna is still alright. Despite her eyelids drooping a little, her eyes are fully awake.

"Thank you. That lady on stage is the first musician I met here." Tayaw said as he introduced Amelie. "Yeah? She's pretty and good. Are you two hanging out?" Jenna asked while raising her eyebrow, obviously implying something. "Good lord. You've had too much to drink." Tayaw just shook his head. "Did you? I heard about the recent trend of women seeking young flesh.. Hehehe." Jenna started teasing Tayaw. "No. Not my type. By the way, which set do you like? Mine or Amelie's?" Tayaw asked for Jenna's opinion. "Hmm.? I guess you're really not hanging out huh. I like your performance more. You have more variations in your songs. Amelie just sang slow songs so far." Jenna answered. The two chatted until Amelie finished her set. They left the bar shortly afterwards.

January 7, 2011 Friday. Ironstone East Ouigab

"Good afternoon, Mr. Dagem." Galad, the real estate agent greeted Tayaw in front of a two story house. Tayaw, who just got out of his pick-up truck, was examining the fifth prospective house he is to rent. "Good afternoon. This is the first one today? Looking good already." Tayaw nodded in satisfaction. They are currently in Ironstone, a residential area of East Ouigab that is lying at the foot of a mountain.

This is already the second day of Galad's itinerary which consist of houses that fit Tayaw's preferences located in the residential areas around East Ouigab. Yesterday's houses did not satisfy Tayaw at all. They either had faulty roofing, uneven floors, covered up cracked walls with fresh painting, and weak water pressure. The last one especially puzzled Tayaw because the residential area where the house with the weak water pressure is one of the closest to the nearest water dam.

Tayaw's preferences for a house are that it should be at most 20 minutes' drive away from East Ouigab's central business district; have four big bedrooms each with their own bathrooms, a garage, a spacious living room and kitchen, and a bas.e.m.e.nt that can be accessed outside with a cellar/trap door. He wants four big bedrooms in case his family visits, and because it's actually the minimum bedrooms that a house of Tayaw's other preferences can have. The garage is obviously for his vehicle and the rest of the space for some miscellaneous storage. The living room and kitchen has to be spacious because Tayaw finds the wide space relaxing. Finally, he needs the garage for a practice room after soundproofing it. The reason why the bas.e.m.e.nt needs to be accessed from the outside is that even if he's not home, it can serve as a hangout for friends he makes in the future, including his band mates. Finally, the house has to be for sale, ready for him to buy.

Galad led Tayaw inside the house for inspection. Tayaw noticed the paint on the walls are already around two or three years old. "When was this house put up for sale?" Tayaw asked Galad. "Let's see… seven months ago." Galad answered while checking his notes. Tayaw nodded. Along with the three year old paint in the walls there was also no recent sign of renovation. "When was it built?" Tayaw asked again. "It says here 2007." Galad said. Tayaw was satisfied at this. This house is basically what it looks like since it was built. The floors of the house are also well maintained. "Do you know why the previous occupants left?" Tayaw asked. "Divorce." Galad simply replied. "Ah. That'll do it." Tayaw nodded and checked every door, window, water pressure and the toilets and found them satisfactory. He also checked the electrical box, which was from the surface looks properly installed.

They then headed down to the bas.e.m.e.nt. The trap door appears to be made by BILCO and installed slope style which made a great impression to Tayaw. After entering, Tayaw immediately checked for signs of mold or moisture. The foundation walls are also very well sealed and there are no leaks coming from the walls. He pulled out his hygrometer and was satisfied at the 15% humidity despite the bas.e.m.e.nt door locked for a few days. The builders sealed the interior foundation very well.

After the inspection, they left to inspect two other houses before Tayaw called it a day. Tayaw also told Galad that he decided to rent the house they visited in Ironstone, which prompted Galad to start with the paperwork.

Monday came Tayaw received a call from Galad and said that the lease agreement is ready. They met up in the Galad's office together with the owner of the house. Satisfied with the lease, he signed it and paid 24000 BGC for the four month advance rent starting January 15. Because Tayaw made a great impression to the owner of the house, the owner allowed Tayaw to move in two days before his move-in date.

Tayaw was also able to convince the owner of the property to reserve the house for him to buy in eight months. Tayaw then asked permission to build and renovate the bas.e.m.e.nt. The owner agreed but not without adding them to the clauses in the agreement. Even though the owner knows that Tayaw is still a minor and knew the risks, he bit the bullet and agreed because he saw that Tayaw is a special case.

After their meeting, Tayaw immediately went to Noise Control Inc., a company he already considered to hire and sought their consultation. Tayaw brought some of the employees to his house at ironstone for inspection. The soundproofing guys did not find any problem in the bas.e.m.e.nt so they expressed their willingness to work with Tayaw. Tayaw then hired them and gave them a list of his requirements for the soundproofing and acoustic treatment. While talking to the employees, he found out that they also build recording studios and maintenance for radio studios. This prompted Tayaw to upgrade the bas.e.m.e.nt not only to a soundproof practicing room, but an actual recording studio. If everything goes well, the recording studio will be done by the time the final exams start, and Tayaw couldn't wait to make noise in it as much as he wants.

Tension and anxiety is in the air in Northwestern University campus as January entered its last Monday. Unlike the other students who are still rushing their school projects cramming for the final exams, Tayaw walked in the lecture room with light and bouncy footsteps. He already moved in to his new house back in the 14th and because of the spacious house, Tayaw's efficiency increased in finishing all his assignments and school projects. The source of his current mood however is that Noise Control already finished their soundproofing and acoustic treatment in his bas.e.m.e.nt the day before and is starting to make the bas.e.m.e.nt to a studio.

"You look relaxed as always, it's infuriating." Jenna said as she sat on the desk next to Tayaw. "Why not? I'm prepared just like always, I'm sure it's gonna go well." Tayaw replied. "How about you? You seem alright too. Something happened?" Tayaw asked as he noticed the loose than usual Jenna. "Yep. I actually took your advice. When I got used to doing things early, I actually found myself with more time and with less pressure." Jenna explained. "That's great baby girl, but you should maintain the habit in the future." Tayaw said. In his previous life, he only beat procrastinating when he was in his junior year. Because of the band practices and gigs, he had to finish all his school work as early as he can and spend the left over time for the practices.

Tayaw then noticed Jenna straighten her back as she looked at the front of the classroom. The professor already arrived and pulled out their questionnaires.

"I'm sure this is gonna go well." Tayaw assured Jenna.